BRIAN CAREY Obituary

CAREY--Brian. Brian Carey - an architectural and landscape designer; rock climber and explorer; artist and raconteur - died at 83 on September 6, 2022. Deeply connected to the city, as well as the Shawangunks, the Tetons, Yosemite, and the Arctic, Brian never said no to an adventure. Several expeditions took him above the Arctic Circle, as well as the Himalayas, a trip that fulfilled a lifelong desire to visit the Potala in Lhasa, Tibet. Brian told stories of his exploits with a droll, often self-deprecating, humor. His Greenland shark story, among others, is legendary. Brian's work was wide- ranging, including, notably, Spring Street Bar, the first restaurant to open in the newly established art district in Soho in the 1970s. In 1985 he won a competition that would define his career. Over the next three decades, Brian designed all the buildings and landscapes at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. According to a New York Times review (1999), "the landscape design by Brian Carey ... is a stunning work of art," and the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects, in its list of "150 best buildings" in New Jersey, hailed it as "one of the most intriguing and provocative sites" in the state. Brian's last project was his own home in the Hudson Valley. On a former millstone quarry, among the quartzite conglomerate that he and his fellow rock-climbing Vulgarians loved so much, he designed and raised up a unique home on a steel frame with his longtime partner, Valerie Tomaselli. It's a testament to their enduring love for each other and the landscape. Brian shared many meals with close friends and family. In addition to Valerie, a short list includes his sister Elin Carey of Nantucket; nephew Mark Anderwald, his wife Martha Murphy, and his daughter Molly of Pawtucket; niece Diana Carey of Falmouth; friends from his Spring Street and rock-climb- ing days (you know who you are!), and Grounds For Sculpture, especially Bruce Daniels and the late Brooke Barrie. He is predeceased by his brother, oceanographer Frank Carey, considered the father of tuna biology, and Frank's son, Seth. Consider donating in his memory to the Mohonk Preserve.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Sep. 15, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for BRIAN CAREY

9 Entries

Claude Suhl

February 15, 2025

Brian - 1963 - climbing the West Face of Bugaboo Spire, British Columbia

Louie Meader

January 1, 2025

I´m one of 3-4 guys who renovated Spring Street back in ´76. Got to know Brian and of course Jon, over the course of four or five months and a lot of late nights. We maintained our friendship through the 90s when I left NYC. He was a bona fide original. I still chuckle at recalling some classic one-liner that he dropped on me or an obnoxious waiter. I know it´s 2-3 years late, but just saying I´m sorry he´s not here any longer.

Diane Stoecker

October 20, 2022

Brian was there during good times and bad times for family. As a family friend, I enjoyed his visits, the witty conversations, funny stories, and really good apple pie. I admire his spirit, creativity, and knowledge.

Maria (Re) Ingersoll

October 19, 2022

Although I love all the stories of Brian the Vulgarian, that was now how I knew him. Bob and I were in our younger years, as were our now adult children. After we were introduced, very first thing Brian did was to ask about our family and how they were doing. Brian seemed to know what was close to our hearts. This is how we knew Brian. Not only as the fun loving, risk taking man who traveled the world; but also as Brian, interested in us and our small world of domesticity. For that I will always be grateful-I knew my dear sister Val had found a good man.

Maria (Re) Ingersoll

Susan Lacerte and Archie Hobson

September 30, 2022

Brian, with humor, wisdom, and many whimsical ideas, assisted Queens Botanical Garden, where he was for a time a member of the Board of Directors and a member of the Horticulture Committee. He helped me with some tricky design and diplomacy issues when working on large capital projects at the Garden and also came up with simple, elegant and inexpensive solutions (through the use of hedges!) to merge the Garden's old-fashioned Herb Garden with the landscape of our Award-winning, modern Visitor & Administration Center. I treasured my time with Brian, walking around Queens Botanical Garden, and talking. He was also gracious in sharing his life's work at the Grounds for Sculpture with my public garden management students from
Farmingdale State College. Brian was always willing to share. And, curiously and with the connection unknown at the time, through Valerie, my husband was engaged to edit a book on The Grounds for Sculpture which featured Brian! Our hearts go out to Valerie. Susan Lacerte, former Executive Director of Queens Botanical Garden with Archie Hobson

Kirkpatrick Sale

September 26, 2022

He was always so very alive, and a good friend

Valerie Tomaselli

September 21, 2022

Love that photo, Alice and Claude. And all you've said about him, Claude and Alice and Judy. Here's another early photo, from Yosemite, maybe. Claude should know.

Alice and Claude Suhl

September 18, 2022

Dear Valerie and family. We're so glad Brian was our friend. His was a life well-lived. These past years he was like family to us, only more fun at holiday dinners. We always knew time spent with Brian would be a joy. And even now we have the stories of so many adventures and experiences he shared with us....... the Greenland Shark debacle, the Kingston Dutch Reform Church dilemma - FHRITP, the Catalonian Caga Tió, waking to elephants lolling about in the snow in Indianapolis, the expedition to Mt. Robson, the episode in "OverHoldts Blowing" cave in West Virginia, the introduction of his "protective" friends to his nephew at the restaurant in Soho, helping his brother uncover the mystery of shark circulation and so many, many more. All of them bringing a smile to our faces and warmth in our hearts even now. We will miss this beautiful, kind, talented and generous man.

It is with our deepest sympathy we send you all our sincere condolences.

We've included this picture of him on Mt. Robson in the Canadian Rockies, BC - 1963?

Love, Alice and Claude

Judy Tastor

September 15, 2022

Oh Val!!! What a man you loved so much!!! What a life he lived!!! Our hearts are broken for you, Brian's family and all who loved him so. You were a remarkable couple. We look forward to helping keep his legacy alive in any manner with you! We love you so and we were delighted you had that handsome, interesting, phenomenal fella by your side! We cannot fill the void, but we sure we can help a bit.

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